Adventure Pack 7 is Posted

Hey Mike,

Not sure that the FCS Landcaster is better than the freeware version that Jim and Larry are using. I've had all kinds of issues figuring out the radios on that (can't make a heading bug work and can't seem to get Nav needles respond.

I have managed to use the default kneeboard AP keys to function, but to get the plane to track the gps I had to actually go into fsx controls and set a key for that nav/gps switch. I opted for "G" since I use a control button for my landing gear. So... I fly using the GPS (in lieu of working nav gauges) using the following keys:

Z key = master AP toggle on/off
Ctrl-Z = Alt hold toggle on/off
Ctrl-N = Nav1 track toggle on/off
G key = nav/gps switch

If the plane won't follow the gps track, I sometime fiddle with the Nav1 (Ctrl-N key) to toggle that on or off and then the G key. Eventually I get it in the right combo to follow the GPS. You'll know when it grabs hold as it will pull toward the gps line, and the yoke won't control plane until you turn off the AP.

Also - for some reason my included flight plan has been causing me fatal FSX errors on loads sometime, so I ended up flying a modified version the Larry Chew made from ESNQ to the target and back again - except we veered off and made sure to follow the waterway to the target at 2500 to pick up the flak effects (then down to about 1200 at the Tirpitz to get a better view and pick up the lower flak there.

But for the long-haul across the sea to and from the UK and the leg just before it (the 2 two-hour flights), I use the GPS and the default AP keys to track the flight plan heading. Fortunately - pilots can just use the airport ICAO codes to fly most of the flight - and the correct waterway is easy enough to identify from the pics I think - knowing it's the one right off of Tromso airport.

If there's a way to make the nav radios work on this bird I didn't figure it out and was just happy to get the AP stuff working. Once we got over the hump of some technical issues I was having with my flight plan it was a pretty good flight, but a bit of effort for just the two of us to stay near to each other (I'd would be insulting to skilled pilots to call it "flight formation" ). Regardless, it was a fun flight and - if the recordings worked out ok - will make for some good video when I get a chance to go through it and edit some clips.

John

John

John,

Thanks. I seemed to do well enough using Ctrl Z and Ctrl H to track the altitude and heading I set in my VRInsight MCP panel (cheating, I guess). When it veered off the GPS track, I just nudged it back by adjusting the heading set in the MCP. It is annoying that there is no heading or course bug, but I guess I wouldn't expect them on a magnetic compass. The VOR indicator on the windscreen does something, because I see it change when I pass a VOR. I'll just have to give it further testing to figure out how to interpret it.

Mike

<strong>I've made a 5-min sample video of Adventure Pack 7-3 (bombing run).

Thanks to Larry Chew and Steve Stevens for assisting.

John</strong><a title="Adventure Pack 7-3 movie" href="training-videos/ap73.MP4">


ap73.MP4</a>

Very Cool. I have my B-17 positioned at Kiruna for BDA or restrike tomorrow.

Mike

Thanks Mike and Steve.

Yes, Steve - the video stutter is annoying, and I think it's worse in this video because there's so much activity there. The Tirpitz probably could have been refined a bit more, and I suspect the flak smoke has a scenery hit along with other effects - then add a number of planes (and your plane with the additional effects) - plus the added load of video recording and there you have it. I don't have any addon scenery for this area, so if you're using additional scenery complexity on top of all of that - oh well. Still, not too bad considering all of that.

I've added the movie to the bottom of the Adventure Pack 7 Information on the Adventure Pack page so that it doesn't get lost in a dated forum post.

Perhaps another group flight in a future military mission adventure - it's just hard to get a number of pilots all together at the same time. Your plane has inspired me to check out additional military aircraft, then of course - military adventures will follow - a vicious circle.

John